Mick Zielinski, 6, of Hartland, is attending his fourth Opening Day game as the Detroit Tigers take on the New York Yankees at Comerica Park in Detroit, Friday April 5, 2013. (Oakland Press Photo:Vaughn Gurganian)

"We want a World Series win. We have the pitching. (Tigers owner Mike) Ilitch has done his part. I'm looking forward to the results."

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The throngs who turned out for the annual Opening Day party in Detroit Friday echoed those same thoughts.

Michael (Mick), 6, Zielinski of Hartland walked toward the ballpark loaded down with navy and orange beads and a backpack filled with Tigers gear.

Strolling with little Mick was his dad Michael and grandparents, Mike and Sandy Zielinski of White Lake.

"We're baseball people," said Sandy. "Mick goes to every game. This is his 4th Opening Day. He knows players and their numbers and we're teaching how to use the scorecard."

A confident Shirley Forton of Clinton Township -- surrounded by her daughters, Susan Wise of Harrison Township and Jennifer Morrison and Rhonda Pardo, both of Clinton Township -- made a prediction for the Tigers season.

"We're going to be on top, to the World Series," she said.

Pardo loves the party atmosphere of Opening Day, she said.

"Everybody's attitude is great -- and it's spring!" she said.

Ken Mosier of Lake Orion worked his way through hordes of people with pal Kurt Fish, also of Lake Orion. Mosier, wearing a University of Michigan jacket, has other sports on his mind this weekend.

"My son Kris goes to Michigan, so it's a great time to be a fan here," he said. Michigan plays Syracuse in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at 8:49 p.m. Saturday.

Fish said he and Mosier took vacation days to attend Opening Day.

"It's a great day for Detroit," said Fish, who works in the investment field.

Enjoying a beverage with friends before the game, Shirley Gallinat of Brighton said her boss told her she was jealous of Gallinat.

"She said she wanted to be here," said Gallinat, who works for a bakery.

"We're in the middle of a large move and I should be there helping."

Gallinat confessed to being a serious Tigers fan, attending many games each year.

"My daughter-in-law's birthday is near Mother's Day and she and I are planning to come to a game and celebrate together," she said.

Southfield resident Jeffrey Garland came to Opening Day early.

"I got here about 9 a.m. to beat the traffic and get something good to eat at the Tigers Den (at Comerica Park)," said Garland, who was meeting a friend from Kalamazoo.

"The Tigers will win today but it'll be close," he said.

Spotted at Opening Day

--Crowd-pleasers: Former Redford resident Danny Novack, now calling the Bronx home, stood in front of Comerica Park dressed as the Statue of Liberty holding a sign that said "I Love NY" while having a beer and smoking a cigarette. (The Tigers played the Yankees at the Friday Home Opener.) "This is my first year doing it in Detroit," said Novack. "I've been a Yankees fan since moving there eight years ago. A lot of people have taken my picture."

-- Don't step on the grates: Most women came to Friday's game in athletic shoes or boots, but one woman walked with her date toward the ballpark wearing 4-inch heels.

-- Air-worthy: Many fans around Comerica couldn't take their eyes off a small drone flying over the crowds.

-- Teacher Bill Polk of Livonia shouted with friends over a deafening tailgate music system. "I'm having a hard time hearing anything," he said.

--Tony and Pam Rinna of Southgate -- their faces painted to look like real tigers -- were stopped every few feet by people wanting to take their photograph. The facial artwork, done by a professional, only takes 15 minutes each, said Tony. "We do it for Opening Day and the World Series," he said.